The need for reconstructive surgery

Reconstructive surgery has an immense role to play in Africa. There are a huge number of people, young and old, suffering from deformity and disability caused by birth defects, accidents and disease. Without the aid of reconstructive surgery, many of them are often cast out of their communities with little hope of future employment, independence or quality of life.

In the developing world, burns are terrifyingly common, frequently poorly treated and always have a devastating effect on the lives of those who suffer them. Ghana has one of the highest burn incident rates in the world.

Similarly, genetic defects, diseases such as cancer, terrible traumatic injury, and horrific and tissue destroying conditions such as Buruli Ulcers and Noma – a bone-wasting disease known as ‘the face of poverty’ – all produce deformities and disabilities that can be helped by reconstructive surgery.

Demands on Ghana’s fledgling services are ever on the increase at home and from other West African countries as more and more people become aware of the benefits it can bring. In Sierra Leone, there is no such provision. Its introduction is absolutely vital.

At ReSurge Africa, we’re striving to make reconstructive surgery more accessible to the people who need it most, but we can’t do it without your help.

Together, we can create a brighter future for the people of West Africa.